Don’t loaf around—bake yourself a delicious Sweet Potato Bread instead!
Holidays year-round often feature fantastic feasts—and none are quite complete without a phenomenal baked good to share! Boo-tiful brownies for Halloween parties, chewy Christmas cookies, and fanciful flag cakes for the Fourth all come to mind when I reminisce on round tables filled with family and festive food; however, my personal favorite guest at any get-together has got to be a gourmet loaf of sweet bread. Delicate slices of dainty and delicious crumb, topped with a thin veneer of icing or cream cheese, are enough to get me to show up to just about any friendly gathering.
When you think of a warm loaf of sweet bread, you might be thinking about banana bread (especially with cream cheese!) or even an autumnal pumpkin bread. But you might be pleasantly surprised by the subtle sweetness of your next festive favorite: sweet potato bread! With the sumptuous texture of potato bread and the naturally occurring, nuanced touch of decadence you expect from a sweet loaf, sweet potato bread is the perfect loaf to cherish for any celebration.
Is Sweet Potato Bread Healthy?
In most situations, it’s hard to go to bat for a dessert and say, “It’s healthy, actually.” And, certainly, this recipe contains plenty of sugar, flour, and oil that firmly designate it into the “enjoy in moderation” camp. However, if you’re comparing this recipe to other similar-style dessert breads, it certainly has some nutritious qualities worth noting.
Sweet potatoes, the star ingredient, are a rich source of so many nutrients: fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A, to name only a few. Pecans contain heart-healthy fats, protein, zinc, magnesium, and iron. As far as desserts go, that’s a winning combo.
This recipe for sweet potato bread may not work for certain diets as written. It’s high in carbs even with a sugar substitute (thanks to the sweet potatoes), so it is not ideal for anyone following a keto or low-carb diet. To make it vegan, all you have to do is utilize a vegan egg substitute for our recommended two large eggs. You could also make it gluten-free by substituting an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix.
Sweet Potato Just Works In Sweets
Sweet potatoes are naturally, well, sweet. This makes them the perfect unconventional ingredient for baked goods. Their slightly earthy sweetness adds a depth that sugar can’t achieve on its own, while their silky texture keeps breads, pies, muffins, and other bakes moist and luscious. Sweet potatoes also pair perfectly with warm spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove, which makes them a natural fit for cozy, comforting treats like this bread.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Once cooled, store your sweet potato bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months; just wrap individual slices in plastic wrap first.
Serving Suggestions
If you ask me, the best way to enjoy a warm slice of sweet potato bread is with a generous dollop of creamy spread. My personal favorites are homemade Cashew Butter, Pistachio Butter, or Pecan Butter.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 cup sweet potatoes cooked and mashed
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and vegetable oil until well combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the sifted all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the water, and mix until just combined. Fold in the mashed sweet potatoes and chopped pecans.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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